Robert William Elliston (1774 - 1831)

Born 8 Apr 1774 in Bloomsbury, London, England

Ancestors

Husband of Elizabeth Rundall — married 1 Jun 1796 in Abbey Church, Bath, Somerset

Descendants

Died 8 Jul 1831 at age 57 in Blackfriars, London, England, United Kingdom

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Noel Elliston [send private message]

Notables

Biography

Robert Elliston was born in England.

Robert was Actor Manager of the Drury Lane Theatre in London.

Robert was born in 1774. He was one of the most colourful figures to stride across the Regency stage. Everything he did, as Actor, or Theatre Manager, was more than life size. During his career he played many leading parts, but he is best remembered for his gusto and panache with which he directed the fortunes of three London theatres and perhaps half a dozen in the provinces. He was not known as 'The Great Lessee' for nothing.^[1]

Robert made his first appearance in London at the Haymarket Theatre on Saturday, 25th June 1796 in a double bill, playing Octavian in THE MOUNTAINEERS by George Coleman the Younger, and Vapour in Prince Hoare's musical farce MY GRANDMOTHER. These performances were acclaimed by the critics. .^[2]

Robert went to Windsor on 24th July 1799, and by Royal Command acted Don Felix the following night before the Royal Party, in Susannah Cantlivre's farce THE WONDER! A WOMAN KEEPS A SECRET. "On the 26th, the next night, he was playing at Bristol, and again on the 27th, at Windsor. Thus, to and fro, between Bristol and Windsor, he vibrated in the space of each natural day.....for one whole fortnight." He travelled overnight, after each performance, sleeping soundly on the coach. During this fortnight he acted six times at Windsor, the King commanding five of the performances. By order of the King he received 25 guineas, and cleared 100 guineas altogether. .^[3]

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Sources

1. ↑ Chrisopher Murray.
2. ↑ Michael J. Wood, "The Descendants of Robert William Elliston" Refer p.4; First Generation.
3. ↑ Raymod, 1857; 52.

Christopher Murray, Robert William Elliston, Manager;

Raymond, 1857; 52

Robert William Elliston mentioned in the record of Lucy Ann Theresa Elliston Name Robert William Elliston Sex Male Wife Elizabeth Daughter Lucy Ann Theresa Elliston Other information in the record of Lucy Ann Theresa Elliston from England Births and Christenings Name Lucy Ann Theresa Elliston Gender Female Christening Date 14 Jan 1812 Christening Date (Original) 14 JAN 1812 Christening Place SAINT MARY-ST MARYLEBONE ROAD,ST MARYLEBONE,LONDON,ENGLAND Birth Date 21 Dec 1811 Father's Name Robert William Elliston Mother's Name Elizabeth

Citing this Record "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NYRX-M55 : 30 December 2014), Robert William Elliston in entry for Lucy Ann Theresa Elliston, Lucy Ann Theresa Elliston; citing , reference ; FHL microfilm 580,907, 580,908.

The ancestry of HRH The Duchess of Cornwall William Addams Reitwiesner

William Addams Reitwiesner; Author The above is no longer accessible. The site has now been Archived.

Michael J. Wood has done a considerable amount of work on the Elliston (Alyston, Alliston, Elliston) family,

Acknowledgments

Thanks to Gilly Wood for starting this profile.